Katie loved musical theater and actively participated in various productions throughout high school.  Those experiences were among her most favorite high school memories. She also felt a strong connection to her high school guidance counselor who was instrumental in Katie’s decision to pursue undergrad and graduate degrees in psychology and social work.  As a way to honor Katie’s memory and support others who share these same interests, We Believe in Katie awards an annual scholarship to a deserving Verona Area High School senior majoring in the arts, psychology or social work.   

2019

The 2019 Katie Udelhofen-Clark scholarship was awarded to Verona High School senior Makaya King.  Although we were not able to attend the awards program to present her scholarship that evening we did meet Makaya a few weeks later at the high school.   She seems as warm and caring as her application described. 

Makaya understands the value of hard work, setting goals and helping others. 

She is an honor student who finds time to work part time as a trainer at a local fitness center and volunteer at Verona Area Community Theater.  For the past 4 years she has helped children thrive through their involvement with VACT and has witnessed first-hand the positive impact theater has on children both on and off the stage.  

The theater and helping others were two aspects of Katie's life that were especially important to her.  As we read Makaya's heartfelt essay we knew that she was the perfect 2019 scholarship choice and that Katie would approve.

2018

On May 9th 2018, at the Verona Area School Awards evening, we presented Brikny Ayala with the second annual Katie Udelhofen-Clark Memorial Scholarship.  There were a number of things in Brikny’s essay that stood out to us as we read through the many applications. Like Katie, she will be attending UW-Milwaukee majoring in psychology. Becoming a physician working in the mental health field is her long-term goal.   Her belief in “giving back” especially to those who are underserved in our society, and her work as an intern at the Carbone Cancer Center, all make Brikny the perfect choice. She is a hard working, remarkable young woman and we wish her the very best as she begins this new chapter.

2017

Verona High School senior, Jenna Acker, was awarded the first annual  “Katie Udelhofen-Clark scholarship” at the VAHS awards ceremony in May of 2017.  She began her freshman year at the University of Wisconsin – Platteville this fall. Jenna is a remarkable young woman – we know Katie would approve of our choice. Click here to read a touching thank you letter from Jenna.